Prandelli to continue at Italy helm

02 Jul 2012 00:47:53

Cesare Prandelli confirmed on Sunday that he intends to stay on as Italy coach, after his side were soundly beaten 4-0 by Spain in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev.

"There were times when I wasn't entirely sure, but I've never had any problems with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) or any of the directors," he told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"This project needs to continue. We want to continue and we want this team to grow."

Prandelli succeeded Marcello Lippi after Italy's group-stage exit at the 2010 World Cup and led the side through Euro 2012 qualifying unbeaten.

Italy's next assignment is a friendly against their Euro 2012 quarter-final opponents England, which will take place in the Swiss city of Bern on August 15.

They will then embark on their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, having been drawn in Group B alongside Denmark, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta.